October 26, 2015

The Struggle
of Self; it’s a difficult thing to understand. Two little children are playing
on their own; plenty of toys for both. But before long, one toy in particular
takes the spotlight. Both kids want it. It’s as if everything else is
non-existent. They each must have it, and they begin to whine and fight over
it. It’s not that either of them really needs it. But it’s that they can’t
stand to see the other have it. The “self” must prevail.

A husband and
wife live happily together with three children. They are comfortable and have
no need let alone lack of modern convenience. But one day the husband hears
about a job promotion for his buddy down the road. It gets him thinking; how
could my life be better? What do I want? Why can’t I catch a break? Nothing has
really changed to affect his previous contentment. But all of the sudden he’s
miserable. He can’t stand the thought of someone out there having it better
than he does. He hates the idea that his “self” could lack in any way. And
overnight, the seeds of envy and discord are sown.

A teenage girl
has a smart phone and tablet. She’s adorned with the latest fashions and has no
shortage of friends. She’s popular and well-liked and most importantly she has
the rock solid confidence of faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ. Yet, when minor
things in life go wrong, she feels like the universe is crumbling. She
struggles with an assignment or test and she immediately is overcome with
stress. Her significant other of 6 months dumps her and she doesn’t see any way
to move forward. Why? She’s still blessed. She has her entire life ahead of
her. Yet, her “self” is affected.

There’s no
doubt that we all struggle when our cares, ideas, or goals are threatened;
because those are the things that define who we are. An attack against them is
a direct attack against us. But is there really a reason for alarm? Could it be
that in many ways we are a bit too enamored with ourselves? Consider another
example, this time from Mark’s Gospel; a time when two brothers struggled with
the same thing:

Mark 10:35-41 Then James and John, the sons of
Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever
we ask." 36 And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for
you?" 37 They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your
right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." 38 But Jesus said
to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that
I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" 39 They
said to Him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will
indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you
will be baptized; 40 "but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not
Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared." 41 And when
the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John.

James and John
didn’t ask for this honorable distinction because they needed it. Life was more
than good enough for them. They, of all people, had no reason to complain or
want more because they were able to walk and talk with` the very Son of God!
Yet, they wanted more. The “self” inside each of them begged for a little more
attention and a little higher status; something to separate them from the rest
of the pack. They were like a couple of kids fighting over the same toy, when
they had hundreds of others to choose from. But that’s what the inborn human “self”
does. It wants to be distinguished from the rest, even if it already has every
grace and blessing.

This was
nothing new to Jesus. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and certainly
He knew James and John well. If you follow the context before these verses, you
can see how Jesus was patiently and persistently addressing this problem of
“self-centeredness” in His disciples. At the end of Mark 8 Jesus predicted
quite frankly that He would have to suffer and die in Jerusalem and rise three
days later. When Peter tried to interject himself
into the situation and “protect” Jesus, he was met with a sharp rebuke from
His Lord: “Get behind Satan, you’re not
mindful of God’s plan.” Shortly after that exchange Jesus instructed all of
the 12 by saying, “Whoever desires to
come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me (Mark
8:34).”

In chapter 9,
Jesus predicted His death and resurrection a second time and followed it by
saying this: “If anyone desires to be
first, he shall be last of all and servant of all (Mark 9:35).” Therefore
it shouldn’t surprise us that as we reach the words of our text in chapter 10,
Jesus followed the same pattern for a third time. Immediately before these
words, Jesus predicted His death and resurrection and then replied to James’
and John’s request. And for a third time, His answer is the same. There is no
room for your sinful “self” in the kingdom of God. Discipleship is not a beauty
contest about who is wisest or greatest. Discipleship is about survival, plain
and simple. And the number one threat to James and John was their own sinful
hearts. The inward desire to have more and more, even though they had
everything they needed. The competitive nature to be better or to have a leg up
on others; to be viewed with the greatest esteem and to receive the loudest
praise.

Jesus was right,
they had no idea what they asked for; but they would get it. Not what they
wanted or what they thought, but they would get what all Christians are in for.
The cup of hardship and the baptism of persecution. James and John wanted
something to stoke their egos; to inflate their sinful natures. But what they
received by faith in Jesus was the opposite and they are eternally grateful for
it. Because the path of the sinful “self” leads to destruction. As Christians,
we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of heaven, but the kingdom
is where we will be. Acts 12 tells us what happened to James. He didn’t receive
fanfare and praise as the greatest apostle. He didn’t live in a beautiful
mansion and exercise unlimited power over the rest of pitiful humanity. No, one
short verse sums up James’ legacy: V.2
“Then Herod killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.” That’s it.
That’s what James received for following Jesus.

As for John,
he didn’t suffer martyrdom but he did live in exile. He survived longer than
the rest of the twelve, but many could argue that the isolationism and
loneliness was even worse. Indeed, how very far from the truth James and John
were as they dreamt of these lofty goals in this world. It’s a difference
temporary, present satisfaction leading to eternal condemnation and temporary
pain leading to eternal glory. But they were no different than the rest of the
12, as we see from the their reaction to this peculiar request, from vv. 42-45:
But Jesus called them to Himself and
said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the
Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great
among you shall be your servant. 44 "And whoever of you desires to be
first shall be slave of all. 45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to
be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

This was one
of the last times that Jesus would have to talk to His disciples about this.
Holy week, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Ascension were all on the doorstep.
Soon, events would be put into motion that could not be reversed and the 12
would be tasked with bringing the truth of salvation to the ends of the earth. You
can sense the seriousness of the times in the fact that Jesus doesn’t mince
words. Unbelieving rulers abuse authority and rights in order to keep those
under them in subjection. This wasn’t the way God’s Church would be and it
started with the disciples and their own self-denial. They needed to be the
examples. They needed to set the tone. But they wouldn’t be alone. Up to this
point they had failed miserably; so much so that Jesus had to address the exact
same point on three separate occasions.

They would
fail in the future too. It wouldn’t be long before each of the disciples were
running scared as Jesus walked the path to the cross alone. Shortly after that
moment of cowardice they would be huddled together behind locked doors; feeling
as if everything had fallen apart. But no matter how bad things were, or how
bad they would get, they would never be left alone. They fled from Jesus, but
He would never flee them. His Church was different. Different in that it was
not about the sinful “self” but about the Savior. But also different in that it
would never fade away, because it was established by One who came to serve, not
to be served. One who came and set the example and established the tone.

What we see in
all this for our lives is that Jesus does care for a “self.” Not the self that
seeks its own or that struggles to be called “greatest” in the kingdom of
heaven. Jesus cares for the “self” that is an individual lost in sin and
unbelief who needs renewal. Unlike other religious leaders, Jesus did not come
to be served. He came to help; to serve others. But in order to do that, He had
to come for you, as a unique individual, as a “self.” Part of the beauty of
God’s kingdom is that it’s meant for every single person. It’s not a kingdom
where everyone blends in together and has no individual identity. Jesus knows
you by name and He daily calls to you through the Gospel. He wants you to be part of His Church, just as
you are; with everything that makes you unique and one of a kind.

You, as an
individual, were so important to Jesus that He willingly sacrificed himself to pay for your sins. He
mentions the great love He has for sinners with one word in our text, from
verse 40, the word “prepared.”
That’s what Jesus did for you. He prepared salvation for you. Jesus didn’t do
this for a random portion of people with whom He has no connection. Neither did
He leave anyone out; or forget anyone because they weren’t important enough.
The preparation of salvation was accomplished for each individual person. Jesus
went to the cross, knowing your very name, who you would be, what you would
make of yourself in life; even knowing all of your failures ahead of time. You
are that precious to Him, and He values your unique identity, your “self”, so
much that He wants you to serve Him through it.

That’s why
Paul, in another area of Scripture, likened the Church to a body. A body has
several unique parts; all with their own particular function. But no matter how
different they are, they all serve the same purpose, and have the same goal of
getting the entire body to function properly. That’s the true image of “self.”
We are not part of God’s kingdom to serve ourselves; to see who is the greatest
over all. We already know that that title belongs to Jesus alone. That’s the
self we need to do away with through contrition and repentance. But Jesus still
takes you as you are. He wants you to be His own child, by name; a unique “self,”
an individual identity whom He has redeemed by His blood on the cross. Through
that faithful self, what we typically call the “new man” you can serve God and
you can serve your fellow Christian; for the building up of the Church.

Sometimes we
forget how important the “self” that serves Jesus is. Sometimes we get caught
up in the politics of the congregation and we wonder how we, as individuals,
can possibly make a difference. Not everyone is a pastor or teacher. In fact,
the make-up of our congregation relies on relatively few leaders who have the
task of representing the entire body. How can the proper “self” exist in that
format? What can regular, individual Christians do? The truth is, it’s the
regular members who make the difference. If they don’t a congregation won’t
work well at all. Just as Jesus was teaching to James and John, it’s the same
in a Christian congregation. Those who serve are the ones who change the world.
Good leaders act upon what the servants are already doing; they don’t dictate
what must be done. In a church, the leaders need be the greatest examples of
service. It’s the entire body of members, working as individual people, who
determine the work and goals of the congregation. The leaders are simply
present to guide the course.

There are
plenty of ways to serve God with your “self.” Not through the sinful actions
that come from a selfish heart; from the old Adam as it’s called. But the “self”
that has been regenerated and renewed through the Gospel of forgiveness. The “self”
that serves in true righteousness and holiness; because that’s what Jesus has
given it. Jesus taught you the truth, provided you the example, and paved for
you the path of victory. It’s not an easy path; just look at the life of James
and John. Nor is it a popular path; just look at what we humans want by nature.
But it is the path of Jesus. Therefore, greatness is in serving Him. Amen.

The peace of
God which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ
Jesus. Amen.

October 19, 2015

It’s often customary for Christians to
take a few moments in prayer to the Lord at night. Evenings are a typical time
of prayer because it marks the end of the day’s events. The most logical prayer
at the end of a day would be one of thanksgiving. Certainly, we have more than
enough reasons to thank God. But the end of the day provides more than just
reflection on the blessings of the day. It also provides us some quiet time to
think about the needs of others and to seek guidance and help from the Lord for
our own struggles. It affords us the opportunity to see a much broader picture
of life if you will.

These things are all true about the
evening, but there is another important reason for prayer and reflection at
night that is often overlooked. The evening is also the time that we lay our
heads down to rest. At times of rest, the gift of a home is a true blessing.
Without a home, nights are much more restless and sleep is harder to get. I
remember back in the Midwest I would think often about the blessing of my home,
especially at night, and especially in the winter. When it comes to winter in
the Midwest, a good home is not only nice, it’s absolutely necessary. On the
coldest winter nights, exposure to the elements for only a few minutes can mean
permanent danger or even death. Yet, in our homes we have comfort, food,
protection, and warmth. We can sleep peacefully, no matter the temperature
outside, because we are safe. What a blessing, especially to consider on a cold
evening as you prepare for bed!

But a home is much more than just the
walls around you or the roof over your head. In order for a home to be
complete, it needs people. Your family is even more vital to your home than a
fireplace or bed covers on a cold winter night. In this section of Hebrews, the
writer talks about the blessing being in God’s home. Hebrews 3:1-6: Therefore, holy brothers and companions in a heavenly
calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession; 2 He
was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was in all God's
household. 3 For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as
the builder has more honor than the house. 4 Now every house is built by someone,
but the One who built everything is God. 5 Moses was faithful as a servant in
all God's household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future. 6 But
Christ was faithful as a Son over His household. And we are that household if
we hold on to the courage and the confidence of our hope.

Remember why this is called the book of
Hebrews. It has this title because it was written specifically for Christians
who were familiar with the Old Testament. Most of these people at the time of
the early church were Jews, or those of the Hebrew nation. Who better to use as
an example to the Hebrews than Moses, the great leader of the Jewish exiles in
Egypt? Many Jews around the time of Jesus considered Moses to be the most
significant figure in the entire Old Testament. As the writer says here, Moses
indeed was an example of faithfulness to the Lord. But don’t miss the most
important point, Moses was a member of God’s household.

But even as faithful as Moses was, he
was still a sinner who fell short of God’s holiness. There is one who was even
more faithful than Moses – Jesus Christ. Jesus not only was faithful to God’s
will, He was the perfect fulfillment and example of that will. He came on
behalf of sinful mankind and did what no other person could or has been able to
do since – He lived a perfect life as a human who was subjected to temptation
just as much as the rest of us. The intent of this section is clear. It’s okay
to give Moses honor. But Jesus deserves much more, because He did a lot more.
For the Jewish individual who might be led astray to honor Moses but reject
Jesus, he or she needed to wake up to reality. And to drive this point home,
the Holy Spirit emphasizes the aspect of our home.

To recognize the main difference between
Moses and Jesus, you don’t have to look far. Our text says it plainly in the
last two verses: Moses was faithful as a
servant in all God's household, as a testimony to what would be said in
the future. 6 But Christ was faithful as a Son over His household. The
difference between a servant and a son may not seem that great when it comes to
the home. In that day, servants were granted the right to live in the home. In
many ways, they grew up in the home just as any son or daughter would. But when
it came to rights, there was a big difference. Remember that a home is more
than just the location where we live or the things we do there. A home is what
that dwelling represents and the significance it has in our lives.

Children in the home have a right to the
household by blood. They are the ones who inherit the home; who continue the
family name and legacy into the future. A servant is there for a time, but then
gone. There is no continuity among servants. They provide a need or fulfill a
purpose and then they are done; not to remembered. But children are the bearers
of the home for the next generation. They are meant to continue and to be in
the forefront.

It’s no strange mystery that Jesus is
God’s Son. But do we always consider everything that means? As the Son, Jesus
has access to God’s home. He is the most important figure. And as the One who
came to earth, He is the One who shares that home with others. Not just the
promise of eternal life in heaven; that certainly is God’s home and definitely
a great enough gift. But a home is not just the location. Jesus shares the
blessings of God’s household. Gifts we have today like: peace, joy, happiness,
forgiveness, and contentment. Some of the very gifts that should be at the top
of our lists every night for thanking and praising God.

As the Son, Jesus alone has the right to
distribute these gifts; because as the Son He alone earned them in our stead.
Later on in this book, the Spirit would go onto to explain why: Hebrews 9:15 And for this reason He is the
Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the
transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive
the promise of the eternal inheritance. An inheritance is a special thing;
something that is largely lost on our modern culture. You can think of the
inheritance as the continuation of the family home. Think of everything that
your home means to you today. Think of both the material and intangible
blessings that come from the home. That is the inheritance, and it is passed on
from one generation to the next; and only the legal, blood heirs have access to
that right.

God tells us that through His only
begotten Son, the inheritance of His home is passed on to us. What connects us
to that gift is faith in Jesus, the one Mediator of God’s forgiveness. Moses
was a faithful and a good leader for God’s people. But the highest level he
ever reached on his own was that of servant. Yes, a member of the house in some
sense, but one with no real claim to any blessings; certainly not to any
inheritance. That too, is the highest level you can reach in life in your own.
The best you can strive to be is one that serves the almighty God.

That’s where the young man in our Gospel
lesson found himself. He was zealous for the Lord, even recognizing something
special about Jesus. He obviously strove to keep God’s Word or else he never
would have asked the question that he did. And clearly he tried to keep God’s
commandments. But he got off the track when he started thinking that he could
earn God’s inheritance. Not only is that impossible because of sin, it also
runs contrary to sound reason. God’s specifically calls heaven an “inheritance,”
something that we know is clearly not earned by works or effort. An inheritance
is given freely to children. The man didn’t realize the truth that no matter
how hard he tried, he could never be greater than a servant, and a very flawed
servant at that.

This prospect obviously leads many into
despair. If we can’t be anything greater than servants, then what’s the point?
If our works, no matter how good we feel about them, never measure up
perfectly, then what can we do? Well, remember what it takes to be a child. A
child is an heir by blood. As hopeless as we are on our own, we do have access
to God’s home, as children. Not because of our blood, but because of another’s.

When Jesus shed His perfect blood on the
cross, as true man (one of us) and true God (the very Son) he paid the price
that was needed for us to receive the inheritance. Paul wrote to the Galatians:
“You are all sons of God through faith
in Christ Jesus.” The blessings of God’s home are given to you through
Jesus. And later Paul would write this: “Therefore
you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through
Christ.”

As our text says, God builds the house.
He sets the rules. He determines the truth. And the truth is this: We are
helpless on our own. Like prodigal sons, we sacrificed our original inheritance
of righteousness on the altars of self-satisfaction and temptation. We chose
other ways to prosperity and protection and we fell from the path of God’s
Word. We are thoroughly corrupted and wicked; and on our own we have no inkling
to seek God. But the Father had a plan in place. He brought you back from the
dead by His own Son, the only rightful Heir that was left once sin entered the
scene.

Even with the advent of Jesus we were
still lost. Something more needed to be done. The Son also needed to bleed. He
needed to bleed so that we could be purified. That blood of Jesus cleanses us
from all unrighteousness. His blood paid the way for us to have the status as
sons and daughters again; rightful heirs of the inheritance of God’s kingdom.
Where we were faithless; stuck only as servants of the most high God; Jesus
came and made us children in the home.

Therefore we have the warmth of His love
and the comfort of His forgiveness amidst the cold nights of this sinful life.
We have the true treasure of His Word as a means to build and strengthen His
will in our lives; so that we take time to pray to Him in thankfulness and
humility. We have answers to the lingering doubts and concerns about being a
sinful person living in a world full of evidence for a righteous and holy God.
That’s what being part of the household means. Yes, ultimately we have hope for
heaven; a city that needs no protection from pain and sorrow, because those
things have passed away.

But even before we think of heaven, and
well before we get there, we are in God’s home today. Because a home is more
than we end our days and where we rest our heads. A home is the day-to-day
blessings, the joy and peace that need not be explained or reasoned, and the
presence of fellow family members. I pray for your courage and confidence
through faith in Jesus Christ. You are His child. You are a member of God’s
household; a blood-bought heir of eternal life. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all
understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

October 12, 2015

Have you ever tried gardening? If you
have, would you say that you have a “green thumb?” Gardening can be a tricky
thing. We all understand the basic properties of a plant and what it needs to
grow. But practicing it in various settings can be difficult. You need to have
knowledge about the plant you’re trying to grow. You need to have knowledge
about the climate you live in. And you need to be consistent. Plants require
regular care.

In our modern age we don’t have to worry
about gardening too much. Most people garden as a hobby, not out of necessity.
For most people, especially in America, you can get whatever you want at the
grocery store. It only takes a couple of minutes and you can have just about
any edible fruit or vegetable, without any trouble. Even in Seattle, you can
buy your groceries with the click of a button on your computer or mobile
device; you don’t even need to get out of bed. Without a doubt, we could say
that we’ve come a long way in our ability to grow plants and provide food. But
it wasn’t always like this.

Not that long ago, almost everyone had to
garden or farm to survive and provide for their family. In world history, every
successful culture has needed a profitable agricultural system, and for a long
time that meant that individual families had to grow plants on their own. This
was certainly the way it was for the cultures in Biblical times. The Bible is
filled with lessons about plant life and gardening. In fact, it was such a
central theme to the people of Biblical times that the Holy Spirit employed
many spiritual applications through plant life.

Think of how Jesus pictured Himself as
the Vine of a plant and His disciples as branches that bear fruit through Him.
Another well-known example is the parable of the Sower and the Seed, where the
Gospel is presented as a seed that seeks to grow in the hearts of people. Paul
followed this same theme by describing the ministry of God’s Word as planting
and watering seed of which God brings forth the increase. Near the end of His
ministry, as holy week began, Jesus taught a lesson on judgment and repentance
through a barren fig tree that He cursed. In the Old Testament Isaiah
prophesied about the prosperity of the coming Messiah by describing a thriving
oasis in the midst of a parched desert. Even at the very beginning, God told
Adam that the curse of difficulty in gardening would be upon him as a result of
his sin. All of these examples, and more like them, contain spiritual
applications to our lives. It is true that in and of itself, gardening is hard
because of sin. That truth is absolute. But more important than the food we
grow or eat, is the effect of sin in our hearts.

Our text for today speaks of another
application taken from plant life; this time speaking about communication.
God’s message is that what we put in our hearts affects what comes out of our
mouths; just as the type of plant determines the type of fruit it bears. We
focus our hearts and minds on this message today as it comes from the words of
Jesus in Matthew 12:33-37:

“Either
make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit
bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being
evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good
things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account
of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and
by your words you will be condemned.”

When we speak of the 2nd
commandment, the immediate application is in the way we use God’s name.
Following on the heels of the 1st commandment, God expects us to use
His name with respect because He is the only God. The best way to start showing
our loyalty to God is to use His name to praise and worship Him, not to use His
name foolishly to curse or swear. This is the primary emphasis of the 2nd
commandment.

But there is a secondary application
too. As Luther pointed out in his explanation to the commandment, honoring God
includes not only turning away from what is sinful, but pursuing what is
God-pleasing. In this sense, we see how the commandment also points to the many
ways we should properly use the voices God has given us, even if we aren’t
specifically addressing Him. As Christians, everything we do or say reflects
back to God. This makes us think about all of the other vulgar ways that sin
can lead us to misuse our voices. In many ways, we may not be technically
taking God’s name in vain, but any type of vulgar language ultimately points
back to Him and still affects our relationship with Him. And when we use that
type of language, even if it’s common or acceptable in the eyes of the world,
it breaks our command to use our tongues to glorify God.

It’s probably this secondary aspect of
the 2nd commandment that trips us up more. I don’t think that most
of us blatantly take God’s name in vain or think lightly of it. But do we feel
the same about the other ‘lesser’ words and expressions that are commonplace in
society yet equally filled with sinful thoughts? Somehow, we often have a way
of convincing ourselves that it’s not that bad to use vulgar language,
especially since it’s so firmly entrenched in our culture.

The mediums we use to communicate also
play a role in this. Do you consider a text or a personal conversation the same
as a public speech? Would you feel comfortable using the same words that you do
with friends and co-workers with your pastor or your parents? On the surface we
look at these situations as different, and they are to some degree. But when it
comes to our souls and our witness as Christians, there is no difference. The
words and thoughts we put out on facebook or email carry the same weight as
saying that very thing in Sunday worship or Bible class; and sometimes even
more weight because they reach a much wider audience. And yet, we often don’t
think they’re the same. Often we convince ourselves that if we can hide behind
the anonymity of a computer or cell-phone, that its’ not the same as a face to
face conversation. I think we often feel this way because it’s the way much of
the world operates. The web is a breeding ground for hostile and inappropriate
language. The accessibility of a cell network or the internet allows you to
speak without immediate consequences. You can rip into someone or curse and
swear at liberty without being judged or rebuked face to face. You can’t get
away with the same thing in a public setting, or when you’re fellow Christians
are around.

When we consider these negative effects
of digital communication, it’s pretty amazing how direct the words of Jesus
from our text strike to the heart of the matter. At a time long before social
media, Jesus addressed the very core of the problem – the sinful human heart.
That’s where the picture of a plant comes in. Jesus applies it in this context
to communication; think of Jesus here as teaching a principle based on the 2nd
commandment. The heart, or properties of a plant, determine the fruit it bears.
In the same way, the status of the human heart determines the words that come
out of the mouth. And to help us out, Jesus teaches that God has a plan for our
communication; both when He speaks to us and when we speak to Him or to others.

Part 1: Word to Heart

We start with the blessing of the Word
given to us because that’s where our relationship with God starts. Without
faith it is impossible to please God and without the Word of God we would have
no promise of faith, because faith comes from hearing the Word of God,
specifically the words of what Christ our Savior has done for us. Jesus gets to
this point when He makes mention of the treasure in the man’s heart. We know
that He can’t be speaking about the state of our hearts before faith, or by
nature, because the natural human heart is an utterly wicked thing. It is the
source of all types of sinful language, both directed at God and directed at
others. Jesus said that is was the human heart that produced all manners of
sins, including “evil thoughts, murder,
adultery, other sexual sins, stealing, lying, and cursing (Matthew 15:19 GWN).”
Paul spoke of his own heart when he said, “I
know that in me, that is in my flesh, nothing good dwells (Romans 7:18).”
David pleaded with the Lord to “Create
in me a pure heart…” because by nature what David had was not so pure.

The treasure in the believer’s heart is
not his own feelings or attitude, it’s the gift of faith in Jesus. If you follow
the context of Matthew after chapter 12, Jesus continues with this thought. In
the very next chapter, in a single verse, Jesus taught this parable: the kingdom of heaven is like treasure
hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and
sells all that he has and buys that field (Matthew 13:44). A few verses
after that, in a different parable, Jesus said this: "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of
heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old
(Matthew 13:52)."

Think of a scribe simply as someone who
uses the Bible. In Jesus’ time, there was a specific person called to do that.
Bibles weren’t as commonplace as they are today. But each us are now scribes,
or Bible users, on our own. You all have the ability to gather from the
treasure of God’s inspired Word on your own. And from that treasure God’s
kingdom is established in your heart. A kingdom built on forgiveness of your
sins in Jesus Christ. When you have that treasure, and it is vibrant in your
heart, if will positively affect how you use your voice. You will be led to
glorify and praise God’s name in response to such a blessing of life and
forgiveness. And you will turn from the many ways you can misuse your tongue. The
treasure of the gospel, as Jesus says, brings forth good things in our lives.

Part 2: Heart to Mouth

But to have this treasure, God must
first communicate to you through His Word. The best explanation of how this
communication works comes from Romans 10, as the Holy Spirit explained it
through Paul: The word is near you, in
your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart
one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation (Romans 10:8-10).

Faith in Jesus first enters your heart and is
then transferred to what you confess with your mouth. Therefore, the picture
that Jesus gives holds up. What gives you nutrients as living members of God’s
kingdom is also what motivates the words you say. Likewise, if you are breaking
the 2nd commandment by cursing, swearing, or any other way to misuse
your voice, the problem begins in your heart and that’s where you should look
first to fix it.

We see a tragic reminder of this in the example
of the Pharisees. In our text, Jesus calls them a bunch of vipers; which isn’t
a loose description when we consider how sin was first introduced into the
world through the serpent in the Garden. The reason Jesus said this was to get
the Pharisees to look at their hearts. They claimed to speak for God and to
speak the truth, but they did this without considering their faith. They
believed they were in the right because of their physical lineage as Jews, not
at all considering that they too were sinners in need of a Savior. It may seem
here that Jesus was just unduly critical with the Pharisees and their lack of
truth and faith. But in these words Jesus pointed right to the solution. He
wasn’t being overly critical or harsh, He was trying to help the Pharisees see
their weakness and turn to God in repentance. Jesus, of course, does the same
for us in His Word, especially as we consider the 2nd commandment.
It may seem unfair at times for the pastor or fellow Christians to rebuke
vulgar language or cursing. You may be tempted to think, “what right do they have to judge?” Or you may jump to saying, “Everybody’s doing it, stop being so holier
than thou!’

Indeed, the Pharisees reacted to Jesus in a
similar way. They chose to accumulate evil treasure in their hearts; treasure
from Satan and the world, not treasure from the gospel. And their words and actions
were motivated by this treasure. When we react in hostility to the message of
God’s word, even if comes through God’s servants, what treasure are we being
led by? Consider that, because the treasure that’s in your heart will also be
what produces the words you speak. As Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaks.”

Jesus freely offers you the treasure
contained in His Word; a treasure that grants you forgiveness and eternal life,
and a treasure that can guide your thoughts and words today, so that you can
lead your life for God’s glory and for the benefit of your fellow people. And
this treasure is a central theme in God’s Word, exactly parallel with all the
many expressions of growth, life, and fruit.

It’s pretty amazing how you have open
access to all varieties of fruits and vegetables. You don’t need to be an
expert farmer or gardener anymore today. In the same way, you don’t have to
work on your own to have the good treasure from God that will produce spiritual
fruits in your life. It is freely offered to you in the Word, freely won for
you by Jesus, and you have easy access to that Word every day. May your use of
God’s Word be as frequent and natural as a plant that bears its regular fruit.
And may the spiritual fruit that you produce be ever as healthy and wholesome
because it comes from the abundant treasure of God’s Word in your heart. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all
understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

James 4:7-10 Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you
sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and
weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble
yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

It’s hard to believe that
October is already upon us. This time of year is well known for cooler
temperatures, shorter days, and changing of the scenery through cloudiness and
tree colors. However, October is best known for its final day, Halloween.
Halloween is a beloved holiday in our country for many reasons. It’s a time for
trick-or-treating, apple cider, hay rides, and other fall celebrations. But
it’s most well-known for dressing up in costumes. Halloween has always had a
scary side to it that involves many things that make our hair stand on end. But
ultimately, despite how scared we get, we know that it is all make believe.
None of the goblins or ghouls of Halloween actually pose a threat to us.

There are certainly many
exciting things about Halloween and a lot of fun can be had at this time of
year. But with that comes a warning. Sometimes, the playful side of Halloween
can cheapen real dangers that do exist in life. One way this often happens is
in our perception of Satan, the greatest enemy to our faith. It’s not uncommon
to see Satan depicted in various ways throughout the Halloween season. In fact,
he’s probably one of the most popular characters to dress up as. We often see
Satan as a little horned figure with a tail and pitchfork. Sometimes he’s also
depicted as a dirty angel on your shoulder, always trying to get you to relax
and have fun.

These pictures are harmless
in and of themselves, but if they cause us to loosen the reality of the danger
that Satan poses they can be harmful. Pretty soon we begin to think that Satan
is just a fictitious being, like so many others do. God is clear in a number of
places in His Word that Satan, and all demons, are indeed real and dangerous.
Satan is called a raging lion who seeks to devour you (1 Peter 5:8). We’re told
at the very beginning how it was Satan who first tempted Adam and Eve to bring
sin into the world. That’s certainly a reality that we have to deal with today,
sin is not make believe. Jesus called Satan the “father of lies.” Paul
instructed the Ephesians to use God’s Armor to withstand the attacks of Satan.
There was no point to this if Satan doesn’t exist. Even Jesus was tempted directly
by Satan, which means that our great foe is just as real as our one and only
Savior.

And here in our verses for
today James reminds us that the devil, Satan, is the one who is in direct
opposition to God. The first thing we need to realize about Satan is that he is
real and is a great threat to our lives, but we also know that he has been
neutralized by Jesus. The last chapter of Romans records the victory that
Christ achieved for us over Satan, by hearkening back to the very first promise
of a Savior given directly to Satan: The
God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you (Romans 16:20).

We await complete and total
victory over Satan while here on this earth. And though no one can take this
promise from us, we can lose it on our own. This is the threat that remains.
Not that God can somehow be overpowered by Satan but that we could be deceived
and lose the precious inheritance that Jesus has won for us. Think of it this
way. The battle for our souls is complete. Jesus won the war when He declared
from the cross, “It is finished.” Satan can do no more with Christ in the
picture. Satan is condemned to hell. The threat today for us is that we would
lose our way on the path to God’s kingdom in heaven. Though Satan is conquered,
he still works through the lies and trickery of sin to distort the only way to
eternal life through Jesus. Satan can no longer fight, but he can cloud and
conceal the truth.

This is the new battle we
find ourselves in as we near the end of this world, and it’s the same battle
that Christians from the time of Christ have been entrenched in. We see the
forceful message that James gave to his fellow Christians who were engaged in
this conflict. The seriousness and reality of this threat from the devil is
emphasized by the Holy Spirit’s employment of 10 commands in these 4 verses. At
first glance these commands make it feel as if we need to do these things on
our own in order to conquer the devil in our lives. But that would contradict
what Christ has already freely done in our stead.

Rather than shovel more
responsibility on our plate, these imperatives stress the urgency of taking
this threat seriously. Whenever the danger of Satan is minimized, and it is
greatly minimized in our modern world, the great need we have for deliverance
from God is made shallow as well. To help in understanding this, James points
out two important things we can focus on. The first is the daily protection
that God offers to the humble.

Part 1

Discrediting the seriousness
of Satan’s ploys is a result of spiritual arrogance. Therefore, James implores
his fellow Christians to stay humble in their faith. He begins by exhorting
them to submit to God. Submitting to God means that we acknowledge Him as the authority
in our lives. It’s a concept that involves both self-denial and hope.
Self-denial because we yield all things to God and confess that we are not the
end all, be all of life. But hope because a humble and repentant heart trusts
in God’s saving merits and grace. No matter which side of it you look at,
humility is a good thing for your life.

But how many of you enjoy
being made humble? I know I don’t. It’s not easy to be told you’re wrong or
you’ve failed. It’s equally frustrating to know that you haven’t measured up to
God’s expectations, and even that you can’t on your own. Because of these
reasons, and others like them, humility is becoming rarer and rarer in our
world. Yet, when it comes to your life with God, you can’t be with Him without
humility. And furthermore, to submit to God means learning the painful lessons
of humility day after day.

Another aspect of humility
and submission comes forth when James speaks of being sorrowful. Sorrow seems
like a strange thing to look at as a quality, especially since we have hope in
Christ. But James is not pointing to the end of our faith, but rather combating
sinful pride that we encounter along the way. At times, there are so many
things going on in life that we forget why we are here. This is especially true
for us as Americans, since we are told daily that we have a God-given right to
happiness. God certainly created the world for our benefit and He wants us to
have a happy and fulfilling life. The problem is not with happiness or with
God, it’s that we often change the meaning of happiness. God does not give us
the right to pursue whatever we want under the context of happiness. There are
indeed many things present in the world that are attached to a worldly view of
happiness but only involve sin. James makes the point that submission to God
means showing sorrow over things that are sinful, even though they may bring
happiness to our sinful flesh.

True, Godly sorrow over sin
is absolutely necessary to guard against Satan’s deceptions, because he will
try to deceive you into thinking that sin is harmless happiness. The fact that
many people believe that pursuit of worldly happiness is a God-given right is
further proof of how devious Satan’s temptations can be. Even as he did before
Jesus in the wilderness, Satan will stop at nothing, even twisting our
understanding of God and His Word, to lead us into sin. And the first step on
that path is keeping us from submitting to God in humility, and all too often
Satan accomplishes this by making it look as if sin is simply happiness.

Part 2

Humility is certainly needed
to help in the everyday struggle against Satan’s ploys. But something even
greater was needed to ultimately destroy his works and to promise us future
glory with God. That something is the grace of Jesus Christ. This grace comes
in view through the commands to “cleanse” and “purify.” Again, these actions do
not point at our works, but that we would cleanse and purify ourselves through
Christ’s atonement on the cross. This cleansing and purification is the
forgiveness that takes away our sins. It is the same hope that was expressed by
David concerning his sins of lust, adultery, and murder, as we read in Psalm
51: “Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Wash me from my sin and cleanse me from
my iniquity.”

In his first letter John
wrote at length about this connection. See
what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children
of God; and so we are. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as
he (God) is pure. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices
righteousness is righteous, as he (God) is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a
practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the
beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the
devil. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the
children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God,
nor is the one who does not love his brother (1 John 3:1,3,7,10)

Cleansing and purification of
sins come only through Jesus because only Jesus has destroyed the devil’s
works. Yes, Satan is real. His hold on your life was real. The need to destroy
him was real. So real, in fact, that God’s own Son had to come down to earth
and do it for all of us. Our desire to pursue this cleansing and purification
is only evidence of what Christ has already done. We draw near to God by
staying as close to Him as we can, not by working to achieve His favor. Many
ask, well, where is God that I may stay close to Him? “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word
was God.” God is in His Word. God is the Word. When you stay close to the
Word, you are close to God, the conqueror and victor over Satan. In the Word,
Satan can’t get close to you. In the Word, you are safe.

Doesn’t sound like a
dangerous threat from that perspective, does it? But the problem is, Satan can
reach you in everything else. His deceptions and ploys are abundant in all
areas of this sinful world. Hi twisted fingers can grab you through money,
possessions, education, politics, your occupation and hobbies, and even your
own heart. We forget this all too often. We are so quick to think of Satan only
in the evil things of the world, only in those things that we can clearly see
as sins. But he can get through to you with his lies and deceit in every area
of life, because every area of life has been corrupted by sin. Satan often will
reach out to you in something that seems innocent. He will often use those
things that God created to be blessings but have been corrupted by sin. Things
like: your family and friends, your marriage, your food and drink, your time,
your bank account, and your freedom. We already mentioned one big one in
happiness. These are all blessings from God, yet corrupted by sin and able to
be used by Satan to deceive you.

The devil can even use your
most precious resource and your only safe-haven, the Word of God, when it’s
meaning and contents are twisted. Think of Christ’s temptation in the
wilderness. What did Satan use to tempt Him? Fame, wealth, and kingdoms. But
also the very words of God when he deceptively misquoted Psalm 91. Satan can do
all these things because his objective is simple. He only has to get you to
forsake Christ. There are plenty of ways to do that. Satan has no strict dogma
or well-defined theology that he needs to abide by. He is loyal to all
religions except Christianity, and even in many cases he finds a way to distort
that. There is nothing specific that Satan has to get you to believe. It
doesn’t matter to him, just as long as whatever you believe denies salvation
through Jesus Christ.

And therefore, Satan can use
just about anything, even the many blessings in God’s creation. The message for
you today is to use what God has given you as a defense. The threat is
absolutely real, Satan is no fairy tale. An attitude of humility will keep you
close to God by repenting of your sins and looking alone to forgiveness in
Christ. Christian humility will also keep you where you belong, as God’s
obedient servant, instead of falling into the fatal sin of denial through
arrogance and pride.

But, in the end, even
humility has its limit. Even Satan has a found ways to turn well-intentioned
humility into a human service that forgets about Jesus. That’s where the gift
of grace comes in. Even though Satan can just about throw anything at you to
lead you astray, God only needs one thing to keep you with Him – His love for
you even though you’re an underserving sinner.

Don’t be a double-minded
Christian who tries to look good on the outside but is happy to follow Satan’s
schemes in every other area of life. Be aware. The danger is real. The threat
has eternal implications. But you have victory today! The only thing that can keep
you from God is yourself and how much of a foothold you allow Satan to gain in
your life. There is only one way to God and one way to be with God for
eternity. Humility helps us for a while, but grace alone is what unlocks heaven
to us. Grace in Jesus is what makes us untouchable to Satan. It’s what protects
us at all times, because grace is also what chained Satan to hell. The victory
message is that we are cleansed and purified in the blood of Jesus Christ, shed
for us on the cross. The very thing that proved to be Satan’s demise, is our
promise of eternal life. No one can take God’s grace from you. You always have
it in Jesus Christ. Amen.

The peace of God which
surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen.

Pastor Mark Tiefel

Pastor Mark S. Tiefel graduated from Immanuel Lutheran College and Seminary in Eau Claire, WI, in May of 2012. He previously served Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was installed at Redemption on April 12, 2015.